Woman alleges Kerala ex-minister 'exploited' her

Kochi, June 23 (IANS) Former Kerala transport minister and opposition legislator Jose Thettayil has trouble on his hands, as a 30-year-old woman has filed a case Sunday alleging that the legislator and his son "exploited" her.

The woman approached the Aluva police Sunday and handed over a 15-page complaint, along with a CD, claiming that the father-son duo "used" her. The 30-year-old alleged that the 62-year-old former minister reneged on a promise that his son would marry her.

Meanwhile, TV channel here aired visuals of the former minister and the woman in bed.

The Aluva police registered a case against the Janata Dal(S) legislator and his son Adarsh.

State Home Minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan said the crime branch of the police would probe the matter.

The woman, who holds a Master's degree in computer applications, reportedly testified before a team of police officials, offering details of the manner of her "exploitation" by the father-son duo.

Reacting to the allegations, Thettayil said he has a nearly four-year-old acquaintance with the woman, but there was no question at all of his son marrying her.

"She is three or four years elder to my son. The visuals aired were morphed, the lady is a computer expert. There is a big conspiracy behind this," Thettayil, who served as transport minister in the V.S. Achuthanandan cabinet, told the media.

This case comes close on the heels of the flak the Oommen Chandy government has been facing in the assembly and outside it, over the associations of members of his staff with a woman arrested for fraud.

On Monday, the Left opposition is set to stage a massive protest in front of the assembly, reiterating the demand that Chandy must quit over the scandal.